The complex of Santa Maria della Scala, which once was one of the biggest hospitals in Europe, located on the via Francigena directly opposite the magnificent Cathedral of Siena. Today this building turned into the most important and largest Museum complex in the city, which exhibits interesting works of art.

Former hospital of Santa Maria della Scala was one of the first in Europe specimens of the institution, entirely devoted to the reception of pilgrims and Wanderers, which also helped the poor and gave shelter to disadvantaged children. Initially, the hospital management was carried out by members of the religious community, held at the Cathedral, and later it moved to the municipality of Siena. Thanks to generous donations from wealthy residents of the institution soon began to play a very important role in the social life of the commune. In the conduct of the administration of the hospital there were many plots of land and various property throughout the city. Equally important is the role he played in the cultural life of Siena – this building housed many famous artists, including Simone Martini, who wrote a great fresco cycle of scenes from the life of the virgin Mary, Sant'ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti, and Sebastiano Conca.

Today the complex of Santa Maria della Scala, some parts of which are under restoration, is one of the most important Museum complexes in the city. It consists of several independent museums, which occupy four floors, three of them are open to the public.

The main section of the hospital was called 'Pellegrini" or Pilgrims Hall is located on the 4th floor and is a huge room, completely decorated with frescoes that depict scenes from the history of the hospital. The authorship of the frescoes were created by Domenico di Bartolo, Lorenzo Vecchietta and Priamo della Quercia. On this level are built in the 13th century the Church of the Santissima Annunziata, which is stored inside the magnificent bronze statue of the Risen Christ works Lorenzo Vecchietta, Old Sacristy, the Palazzo Squarcialupi, the chapel of the Madonna and chapel Mantel.

On the third floor of Santa Maria della Scala is the so-called Corticella – the small patio where you can see medieval barn with real marble fountain Fonte Gaia (copy adorns the main square of Siena, Piazza del Campo), the work of Jacopo della Quercia. Here is the chapel of St. Catherine and the original premises which met the Society of execution of godly instruction.

The first floor of the hospital is the Archaeological Museum, whose collections are exhibited along the impressive tunnels dug into the tuff. In addition, the complex includes a Library brigantia with an extensive collection of photographs, Children's Art Museum and contemporary art Center. Also in this "city within a city regularly hosts exhibitions, conferences and various cultural events.